In this file photo, the Dodgers’ A.J. Ellis rounds the bases after a solo home run in the seventh inning against the Cardinals during Game 5 of the NLCS at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 16, 2013. (Hans Gutknecht/Los Angeles Daily News file)

After new ownership and new additions were the story for the better part of two seasons, chemistry set in a few months into 2013. The result? The Dodgers’ 42-8 mark during a 50-game stretch from June until August equaled the best run in the major leagues since 1900. The Dodgers followed with a playoff push that didn’t end until the sixth game of the NLCS, despite key injuries to Hanley Ramirez and Andre Ethier. Losses in the offseason were minimal and there is no reason to believe the Dodgers won’t be even better in 2014 with a more experienced Yasiel Puig, eventually healthy Matt Kemp and full season of Brian Wilson.

Hot spots: Second base is the only unsettled position in the field as Dee Gordon, Justin Turner and Alex Gurrero battle to fill the spot vacated by Mark Ellis. Judging by the four-year, $28 million contract to which the Dodgers signed the Cuban in the offseason, Gurrero is seemingly the first choice, but the 27-year-old will begin the season in Triple-A. The anticipated battle for playing time in the outfield is the other area of intrigue once Matt Kemp returns from an ankle injury. Due to various injuries to Kemp, Carl Crawford and Andre Ethier, it never materialized after the emergence of Yasiel Puig last season. If the four are ever healthy at the same time, it is sure to be a heated battle.